Autophagy inducers in cancer

摘要: Autophagy is a complex, physiological process devoted to degrade and recycle cellular components. Proteins organelles are first phagocytized by autophagosomes, then digested in lysosomes, finally recycled be utilized again during metabolism. Moreover, autophagy holds an important role the physiopathology of several diseases. In cancer, excellent works demonstrated dual functions tumour biology: activation can promote cancer cells survival (protective autophagy), or contribute cell death (cytotoxic/nonprotective autophagy). A better understanding dichotomy roles biology help identify design new drugs able induce/enhance (or block) autophagic flux. These features will necessary tissue-dependent confined specific time treatment. The intent this review focus on different potentialities inducers prevention versus therapy order elicit desirable clinical response. Few promising synthetic natural compounds have been identified pros cons their regulation reviewed here. complex framework modulation, "connecting dots" not simple work lack studies further complicates scenario, but final goal obtain clinically relevant reveal unexpected landscape.